Road-grading machine.



P. L. STACKBR.

ROAD GRADING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED DBO. 7, 1911.

Patented Apr. 16, 1912.

s SHEETS-SHEET 1.

P. L. STACKER.

ROAD GRADING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED DEU. 7, 1911.

Patented Apr. 16, 1912.

3 SHEETSSHEBT 2.

P. L. STAGKER.

ROAD GRADING MACHINE.

,APPLICATION FILED DEO.7, 1911. :I ,Qggg Patented Apr. 16, 1912.

3 SHBETSSHEBT 3.

IMA

UNTTE sTATEs PATENT onirica.

PATRICK L. STAOKER, OF GREENWOOD, SOUTH CAROLINA.

ROAD-GRADING- MACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed December 7, 191'1. Serial No. 664,389.

Patented Apr. 16, 1912.

This invention relates to an improvement in road grading machines.

The principal object of this invention is to provide'a wheel frame having a plurality of scraper buckets supported thereby and adapted to be independently controlled for lowering the same, adjustingthe angle of` inclination thereof and hoisting them to the carrying position.

Another object of the invention is to provide a machine forthe purpose vdescribed in which a novel means is employed for independently raising or lowering either the front or rear end of each bucket.

A further object of the invention is to provide a novel clutch and brake mechanism f or controllingthe movements of said buckets.

A still further object of the invention is to 4provide a machine of the character described, which -is composed of a relatively few number of parts, is. therefore simple in construction, and is cheap to manufacture.

With these and other objects in view, the invention consists in the construction and novel combination of parts hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the vaccompanying drawings, and pointed out in the claims hereto appended; it being understood that Various changes in the form, proportion, size and minor details of construction within the scope of the claims, may be resorted to without departing from the spirit or sacrifcing any of4 the advantages of the invention.

In the drawings: Figure 1 is a, top plan view of a road grader constructed in accordance with my invention, Fig. 2 is a side elevation thereof, Fig. 3 is a rear end elevation, Fig. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view through the same, Fig. 5 is an enlarged detail View of the clutch and brake mechanism, Fig. 6 is a top plan view thereof, and Fig. 7 is a detail sectional view taken on the line 7-7 of Fig. 6.

Like reference numerals designate corresponding parts in all the,figures of the drawings.

Referring to the drawings, the invention comprises a main frame which consists of spaced longitudinal sills 5-5 and end sills 6-6`.` A front axle 7 is supported below the front end of the main frame by any suit-- able means, and associated with this axle are front ground wheels 8 8. Disposed below the rear end of the frame is a rear axle 9', and this axle is also connected to the framek by any suitable means, and associated with this axle are the usual tractor wheels 10-10.

My invention comprises a plurality of scraper buckets, which arel each designated as a whole by the reference numeral 11. Inasmuch as each bucket and its controlling mechanism is identical, the description of one thereof will be deemed to be sufficient.

Each bucket 11 includes a bottom 12 having a pointed front end 13 constituting a scraper, spaced side walls 14.--14 and a rear wall 15. Supported upon each side sill 5 of the frame above each bucket 11 is a pair of brackets 16 and 17 respectively, and journaled in each alined pair of brackets are shafts 16a and 17' respectively. A spaced pair of chains 18-18 are each connected at one end to the front shafts 16, and has its other end connected to one end of a rod 19, the lower end of each rod being pivotally connected to the front end of a respective side 14 of the respective bucket by'means of a pivot pin 20. A rear pair of chains 21- 21 are each connected at one end to the rear shafts 17a, and at its other end to one end of a rod 22, said rod being pivotally connected to therear end of an adjacent side wall 14 of a respective bucket by means of a pivot pin 23. Holding rods 24--24 are each pivotally connected at one end to a pivot pin 25, which is carried by the side sill 5 of the frame in advance of the respect-ive bucket, and at its other end to the respective pivot pin 20. Fixedly secured upon the shafts 161---17a are winding drums 16b and 17b respectively. In order to adjust the inclination of these buckets or to elevate the same or to lower them, the following mechanism is employed: Secured to the rearends of the side sills 5 of the frame is an operators platform 26, and secured to said sills 5 in advance of the platform 1s a pair of alined bearings 27-27, saidpbearings being disposed directly above the rear axle 9. Journaled in said bearings is a driven shaft 28. A sprocket wheel 29 is centrally secured on said shaft, and is 5 driven by means of a chain 30 from a sprocket wheel 31` carried by the rear axle 9. Loosely mounted upon the shaft 28 is a plurality of hoisting drums 32, there being as many hoisting drums as there are winding' drums. These hoisting drums are arranged in spaced relation, and in alinement with said vwinding drums. Each hoisting drum 32 includes a lateral flange 33 constituting a brake drum. The face of each winding drum opposite the brake drum is recessed to form a conical clutch face 34. Splined upon the shaft 28 on the side of the clutch face of each drum 32 is a, conical element 35, which includes a hub 36 having a circumferential groove 37 formed therein for the reception of a collar 37a', and to this collar is connected one end of'a shipper lever 38. This lever is fulcrumed, as at 39, upon a transverse Z-shaped cross beam frame. The other end of the shipper lever 38 terminates in a crank arm 41 which is pivotally connected, as at 42, to one' end of a link 43. The other end of this link is pivotally connected, as at 44, to a hand lever 45 above its fulcrum 46, said lever being fulcrumed upon a rack bar 47 supported between the cross beam 40 and the platform 26. The lower end of the lever extends below the fulcrum 46 thereof, and is pivotally connected, as at 48, to one end of a link 49. The other end of said link is pivotally co-nnected, as at 50, to one end of a bell-crank Vlever 51 which is fulcrumed at its angle, as at 52, to a bracket 53 supported by said cross beam 40 in advance of the lever 45. Theother arm of the bellcrank lever projects forwardly, and is formed in its end with an opening wherethrough projects a reduced end-54 of a brake-band 55, said band being disposed around the brake drum 33 and having its other end 56 liXedly secured to a cross bar 57, by any suitable means. Associated with the end 54 of athe brake band is a nut 58, and between this nut arid the adjacentarm of the bell crank lever 51 is a coil spring 59 which tends to yieldingly hold the brake band 55 upon its' drum. Each winding drum 16b and 17b is connected to a hoisting drum 32 by means of a cable and 6l respectively. v

In operation, when it is desired to lower any of the buckets 11, the respective levers 45 are moved forwardly, thereby withdrawing the clutches 35 from the respective drums 32. The drums 32 are then free tov l revolve upon the shaft 28, and by reason of the weight of the buckets 11, the ychains 18 and 21 will play out from off the shafts 16 $5 and 17a respectively. The hand lever 45 is/ 40 supported by the side sills 5 o f the main y bucket has thus beenlowered, and it is desired to elevate the rear end thereof, the properl lever 45 is swung rearwardly so as to release the brake and throw in the clutch.

This will cause the chains 21 to be wound upon the shaft 17, and thereby elevate the rear end of said bucket. As soon as the bucket has been sufficiently elevated, the lever 45 is of course returned to its normal position when the clutch and the brake will be both thrown out. As the machine is drawn 'along the ground, the bucket lls with dirt. It is then desired to elevate the same. This is done by throwing t-he proper levers 45 rearwardly to clutch the respective hoisting drums 32 to the shaft 28. As soon as the .bucket has been suiiiciently elevated, the hand levers 34 are both quickly shifted, thereby simultaneously throwing .out the clutches 35 and throwing on the brake bands 55, theseV brakes being sufficient i to hold the hoisting drums 32 against rotation. When it is desired to dump the bucket, the lever 45 controlling the drum over which the cable 60 is wound is shoved forwardly for one notch. This will allow the forward end of the bucket to be lowered, andwhen said end has been sufficient-ly lowered, the lever 45 is L.quickly moved vforwardly to the'last notch, thereby applying the brake. It will ofcourse be understood that when the buckets are being elevated, t-he motion is transmit-ted to the shaft 28 by means of the chain 30 from the rearfaXle 9.

What is claimed is:

1. In a road grading machine, the combination of a `wheeled frame, a pair of spaced transverse shafts journaled thereon, a winding drum Xedly secured on each port-ing elements respectively connected at one end to the bucket and having their other ends respectively connected to said shafts, a driven shaft supported transversely on said frame, a pair of hoisting drums loosely mounted on said driven shaft, a cable con-.

ynecting each pair of winding and hoisting drums,'clutches keyed on said driven shaft for respectivelyl engaging each hoisting drum, separate actuating means for said clutches, andl driving means connected to said driven shaft.

2. In a road grading-machine, the combination of a wheeled frame including -a rear axle, a pair of spaced transverse shaftsv journaled thereon, a winding drum fixedly secured on each shaft, a scraper bucket,

Ifront and rear supporting elements` respectively connected at one end t0v the bucket i and having their other ends respectively connected to said shafts, a driven shaft supported transversely on said frame, a pair,

`0f hoisting drums loosely mounted on said ating means for said clutches, and a driving connection -between the driven shaft and the rear axle of the frame.

' 3. In a road grading machine, the combination of a wheel frame, a pair of spaced transverse shafts journaled thereon, a wind.- ing drum fixedly securedion each shaft, a scraper bucket including side walls, front and rear pivotv pins respectively secured Ato each wall of the bucket, iexible supporting elements respectively connected at one end to vthe front pivot pins of the bucket and having the other ends respectively connected to one of said shafts, other flexible connections respectively having one end connected to a rear pivot pin and having their other ends connected to the other of said shafts, holding rods respectively pivoted at one end to the frame in advance of the bucket and at its other end to a respective front pivot pin of said bucket, a driven shaft supported transversely on said frame, a pair of hoisting drums loosely mounted 0n said drivenk `l shaft, a-cable connecting each pair of winding and ho-isting drums, clutches keyed on said driven shaft for respectively engaging each hoisting 4 drum, separate actuating means for said clutches, and driving means connected to said driven shaft.

4. In a road grading machine, the`combination of a wheeled frame, a pair of spaced transverse shafts journaled thereon,

a lwinding drum flxedly secured on each shaft, a scraper bucket, front and rear supportlng elements 'respectively connected at one endI to the bucket and having their other ends respectively connected to said shafts, a driven shaft.y supported transversely on said frame, a pair of hoisting drums loosely mounted on said driven shaft a cable connectlng efch pair of winding and hoisting drums,iclutches keyed on said 'driven shaft for respectively engaging each hoisting drum, a transverse bar supported by the frame in spaced relation to the driven shaft,

shipper levers for the clutches respectively.

pivoted on said transverse bar, each lever including a crank arm, rack bars supported 5. In a road grading machine, the combination of a wheeled frame, a pair of spaced transverse shafts journaled thereon, a winding drum iixedly secured on each shaft, a scraper bucket, front and rear supporting elements respectively connected at one end to the bucket and having their other ends respectively connected to said shafts, a driven shaft supported transversely on said frame, a pairof hoisting drums loosely mounted on said driven shaft, a brake drum carried by each hoisting drum, a. cable connecting each pair of winding and hoisting drums, clutches keyed on said driven shaft for respectively engaging each hoisting drum, a transverse bar supported by the frame below the brake drum, brake bands respectively disposed around the brake drum and having one end ixedly connected to said transverse bar, bell-crank levers respectively fulcrumed on the frame in alinement with said brakedrum, one arm vof each lever having connection with the 

